Tuesday, November 10, 2009

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 5 (IPS) - On Sep. 14, the
United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution that gave the
green light to the creation of a new U.N. agency for women.

It
will draw together under one umbrella all the existing entities for
women in the U.N. - U.N. Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Division
for the Advancement of Women (DAW), International Training and Research
Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) and Office of the
Special Adviser on Gender Issues (OSAGI).

Civil society organisations have long lobbied for a women's
agency, and in 2008 these efforts were combined in the Gender Equality
Architecture Reform (GEAR) campaign involving some 310 organisations.

IPS spoke with Naisola Likimani of the African Women's
Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) on the opportunities and
challenges that the new agency which will be headed by an under
secretary general faces. Likimani, based in Nairobi, Kenya, is also the
focal point for Africa for the GEAR campaign.

Excerpts from the interview:

IPS: Where should the headquarters of the new U.N. women's agency be located?

NAISOLA LIKIMANI: It should be in Africa, in an easily accessible capital.

Africa is terribly lagging behind in the realisation of women's
rights, for instance in maternal and child mortality and morbidity
rates; increased poverty rates and the feminisation of poverty in the
region; and gender gaps in primary and secondary enrolment, to name
only a few.

Housing the new agency in Africa would call global attention to these
disparities and hopefully lead to increased prioritisation and more
strategic resource allocation.

IPS: What will be the main challenges and opportunities of forming the new agency?

NL: Among the opportunities are that women's issues will
benefit from a higher profile, as has been accorded in the past to
environmental issues and children's issues.

The new agency will also provide for a more coherent global policy on
gender equality, and coherent and strategic resourcing rather than the
current fragmented way in which gender equality is handled at the U.N.

Among the challenges are bringing together four bodies to
become one - like negotiating a merger. Harmonising the cultures of the
four entities into one that facilitates the work of the new entity is
both an opportunity and potentially a challenge.

There has to be a political commitment to provide the necessary
resources right from the start. It is important that the entity is not
dependent on the occasional support from the super powers. It has to
maintain its independence in order to respond to the needs of women
both in the global north and south.

IPS: What would you recommend the under secretary general's (USG) priorities be in her/his first year of office?

NL: FEMNET feels that it is imperative that the USG be female, particularly at the time of establishing this entity.

During the first year she should establish the office,
negotiate and define the mandate of the new entity in relation to the
other U.N. bodies, and mobilise ambitious, regularised funding.She must
ensure a minimum of one billion U.S. dollar that is allocated to this
institution, with plans for growth over a few years.

A priority will also be accelerating implementation of
international human rights standards that protect and promote women's
human rights.

IPS: There is much happening on gender empowerment between civil
society and the U.N., that it seems only right that the agency adopts a
bottom-to-top approach taking its cue from civil society. Do you expect
any conflict of interest here?

NL: It must be acknowledged that the new agency is a U.N. body and it is established by the member states.

Consultation will be key to its way of work with the member
states, other U.N. bodies and civil society. What is most important is
that it should not lose touch with the realities of women's lives.

FEMNET anticipates systematic and meaningful participation of civil
society in this new agency, particularly in its Executive Board. The
campaign to establish this new agency is testament that the U.N. and
civil society can work in partnership for the realisation of a greater
good.

IPS: What will be the contribution of your organisation (as far as goals and information) to the new women's agency?

As a regional focal point in the GEAR campaign, FEMNET has been very
active in promoting the proposal for establishment of the new entity.

As a regional membership-based organisation, FEMNET is also ready to be
a key partner in Africa, through providing technical support to the
agency and popularising the agency and its initiatives that are key for
African women's development.

*IPS is running a series of interviews on the U.N.'s decision to create a new women's agency.

From the local to the continental, the Fahamu Pan-African Fellowship (FPAF) program has a vision of nurturing African social justice leaders - generating contemporary, energetic, visionary and innovative thought and activism. FPAF is a one-year program that seeks to strengthen community based organisations and social movements across Africa by identifying individual community based activists with qualities of leadership and innovation, and providing them with hands-on work experience, training and development opportunities. The program aims to enhance the skills, knowledge and experience of community-based activists while increasing the effectiveness and professionalism of their affiliated organisations and movements.

Fellowship coordinatorFahamu is seeking a coordinator for its Pan-African Fellowship Program. The coordinator will be based in our Nairobi, Kenya office.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, the fellowship coordinator will be responsible for:• Developing curriculum for the Fellowship program and facilitating participatory workshops, seminars and other learning forums using diverse material and tools• Conducting briefing sessions for prospective fellows and developing fellowship application material• Identifying and coordinating the selection of host organisations, projects, fellows and mentors• Providing and coordinating fellows’ induction, monthly forums and seminars, evaluation and wrap-up workshops and seminars• Coordinating and maintaining consistent communication with fellows, host organisations, mentors and Fahamu• Moderating online discussions and forums for fellows for the continuous exchange of information, ideas, experiences, dialogue and resources• Coordinating the production of the book and video of fellows’ experiences• Providing regular updates and reports to multiple audiences on the fellowship program• Preparing financial and narrative reports at regular intervals• Fundraising, proposal writing and donor liaison for the program• Such other duties as may be required from time to time by mutual agreement You must:• Have at least five years experience working with social movements and community based organisations• Have demonstrable experience developing curriculum and training materials• Have demonstrable project leadership skills• Be highly organised and able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines• Have a demonstrable commitment to social justice and human rights in Africa• Have excellent inter-personal skills• Have excellent writing and communications skills• Be fluent in English. Fluency in Kiswahili is also preferred.• Be able to work with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences• Have budget and financial management experience• Be a self-starter, able to take initiative, and work effectively as part of a team• Be proficient in the use of word processing and spreadsheet software• Experience of using multi-media tools for multiple purposes is a plus• Be based in Nairobi with the ability to travel if and when necessary

This position is for an initial two year contract period.Please send your CV, cover letter and names of three referees to: winnie@fahamu.orgApplications close 17th December 2009. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.Position start date: 18th January 2010This is a full time position. Competitive salary commensurate with experience.Fahamu is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Fahamu:Fahamu is a pan-African organisation that supports the movement for social justice in Africa. We work with social movements that address the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised in society. Fahamu seeks to nurture these movements to become significant agents for change by enhancing individual, collective and organisational leadership, skills and knowledge, as well as by creating platforms and networks for effective advocacy, enhancing the use of diverse and innovative tactics and strategies for change, and amplifying Africa-centred voices, perspectives and solutions.

Submitted by Kemi Bello

2. Oxfam is taking in applications for OFXAM INTERNATIONAL YOUTH PARTNERSHIP, open to people below the age of 25. Deadline: october 2010. For more details please go to www.oiyp.oxfam.orgSubmitted by Yvonne Laruni.

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